45 Georgia State Championship Scouting Notes
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Last week, 16 teams met in Mercedez Benz to battle it out for a state championship. There were winners and losers, respectively, but each team had prospects play themselves onto the map and shine on the biggest stage. Here, we…
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Continue ReadingLast week, 16 teams met in Mercedez Benz to battle it out for a state championship. There were winners and losers, respectively, but each team had prospects play themselves onto the map and shine on the biggest stage. Here, we evaluate dozens of top performers from championship week and give them their roses. You won’t find more expansive coverage anywhere else.
7A – Walton vs Milton
Milton
Marc Essley
Marc Essley
As has been the case several times in his career, Marc Essley was a top playmaker for Milton, helping shoulder them to a state championship win. Essley’s smooth route running ability and sub 11 100 time was put on fill display, frequently creating plenty of space and making defenses pay with the ball in his hand. He also made an impact in the return game, setting up decent field position several times. His play was the cherry on top of his highly decorated high school career.
Jack Lawson Jack Lawson 6’1″ | 185 lbs | LB Milton | 2024 State GA also topped off his impressive career with an outstanding performance. This time, on the defensive side of the ball. His versatility is what sets him apart. He has the length and speed to get around the edge and rush the passer. He also possesses the sideline to sideline speed to keep plays in front of him and flush ball carriers back inside. Where he really shined for me was his coverage. He understands space and assignment very well when dropped back. He flashed incredible hands and body control by breaking on a route and making a toe tap INT on the sideline. When everything adds together, he is a well-rounded LB prospect who can be a multi-year contributor in college.
Hayden Tumminia
Hayden Tumminia
Nobody raised their stock more in this game than Hayden Tumminia. Tumminia, a wrestler, played with outstanding pad level and won with leverage against blockers and ball carriers all night. He also made possibly the best highlight reel play of championship week, flying up the middle on a blitz unblocked and laying a nasty blow on the QB. He was a wrecker on each snap, soaring aggressively to the football and delivering jarring impact upon contact. Tumminia is a D1 caliber MLB prospect and is simply a gamer.
Walton
Hunter Teal Hunter Teal 6’2″ | 220 lbs | TE Walton | 2024 State GA has long been one of, if not the most reliable TE in the state of Georgia. He doesn’t jump off the page when it comes to measurables, but he is simply a talented pass catcher with excellent body control and focus when the ball is in the air. Early in the game, Teal flashed an area of his game that I haven’t seen a whole lot, the ability to highpoint the ball. He rose over defenders and plucked the ball out of the air, then safely securing it as he went to the ground. His ability to play bigger than listed should help him see the field early at the next level.
Highlights
Thorner is sometimes overshadowed nationally by the star studded LB group Walton rolls out each game. However, he is an impressive prospect in his own right. From a height, weight, speed point of view, it’s hard to draw them up better than Thorner. He comes in at 6’2 225 and flies around the field. He sits down and absorbs contact well in the gaps, but the pursuit he flashed on a sack from a blitz is what drew my eyes to him. With his measurables and skillset, being able to rush the passer from any position draws the most intrigue from me. He holds FBS offers and will add more.
Highlights
6A – Thomas County Central vs Woodward Academy
Thomas County Central
Walter Reddick
Walter Reddick
Walter Reddick was simply elite against Woodward Academy. Coming in around 6’3 240 with plus athleticism, he is naturally tough to block and can create some push up front. However, he did much more than that. He absolutely exploded to the football, coming away with several sacks and even a blocked punt. Once free of blockers, he can hit another gear and violently close. He picked apart blockers as well, constantly refiring his hands and using his length to distance himself. Reddick is shockingly underrated and clearly checks out as an FBS caliber athlete.
Thomas has been on my radar for several weeks and I am even more sold on him after his state championship performance. His upside as a receiver is clear. He comes in listed at 6’4 230 and has room to grow. He is speedy and can go up and get it, making him tough to defend. He snuck out of traffic on TE leak plays which resulted in 2 TDs against Woodward Academy. He was wide open, but he maintained his stride while scoring. Thomas is more than a willing blocker as well, TCCHS frequently runs behind him and he does a good job of moving his feet to displace defenders.
Tywon Christopher
Tywon Christopher
Tywon Christopher is a stout, explosive, and physical defender that made plays from a nickel/OLB position. He defended the inside route well against a dynamic receiver, quickly breaking on the ball and either attacking the catch point or knocking the receiver off his path. Christopher was an extremely active defender all night, absolutely flying all over the field and showcasing big time closing speed as he racked up tackles all over the field. Christopher holds FBS offers and is an impressive specimen.
Trey Brenton
Trey Brenton
Brenton was arguably the offensive MVP for TCCHS, handling a workload and asserting his will on seemingly every carry. His stout 5’11 200 allows him to pinball off tacklers in the front seven and drive the pile forward at the end of his runs. Once he gets going in the open field, it is extremely difficult for DBs to bring him down in space. To go along with his physical prowess, Brenton showed solid one-cut ability and could jump across the face of defenders to create more space for him to run. Brenton holds offers and elevated his stock to finish his HS career.
When I watched Johnson earlier this postseason, I thought he was a little raw and had a long way to go in his development. While he is still certainly growing, his performance in the state championship made me a lot more sure about him as a prospect. He is how a prototype dual threat QB is drawn up in the mind of college coaches. He is big, fast, fights for yards, and makes smart decisions as a runner. When he dropped back to throw, he flashed the arm strength and touch needed to drop the ball over the safeties and reach all levels of the field. I expect Johnson to pick up some FBS and maybe P5 buzz over the next two years.
Woodward Academy
Grice, a Wake Forest commit, was a steady competitor for Woodward Academy and ended up being the go-to option for the War Eagles offense. Grice has good length at 6’0 180 and has the hands to bring in the ball in tight coverage. He is a good athlete who can create separation with his clean footwork, but his ability to be patient in soft spots and shield the catch pocket against contact is what makes him super effective. Grice is clean, consistent, and should play his next football game at the P5 level.
Highlights
Landon Walker
Landon Walker
It was a tough night to be a QB against TCCHS. However, Landon Walker competed all night and overcame miscues with big plays through the air and on the ground. A large source of the Woodward Academy offense came on the scramble drill, where Walker did a good job of quickly vacating openings, getting the first done, and protecting himself by getting out of bounds. He also showed the ability to tightrope the ball over the middle, hitting receivers in stride. Walker battled all night and should still be considered a high profile QB recruit in the 2025 class.
5A – Coffee vs Creekside
Coffee
Fred Brown
Fred Brown
Fred Brown is not your typical RB prospect. He looks all of his 5’9 230ish listed frame and plays like an absolute truck. He has underrated east-west skills, quickly making cuts and has enough shake to jump into open running lanes. However, this guy is known for imposing his will once he finds open grass. In fact, he seeks out contact, frequently going out of his way to level would-be tacklers. You have to watch the tape to understand his game. Simply put, he is exceptionally difficult to bring down and absorbs contact unlike many other backs in the state.
Maurice Hansley
Maurice Hansley
Hansley is a major senior sleeper who absolutely needs some looks, especially after his performance in the state championship. He is a good athlete who really flashes some big time acceleration and explosiveness once he hits the open field. He is a natural runner, building away from a speedy Creekside defense on some explosive runs. As a passer, he has good arm talent and possesses a clean, twitchy release. Simply put, he is a good looking prospect.
Jayden Hancock
Jayden Hancock
In my opinion, Jayden Hancock was the top DB performer in this game. For starters, he looks the part from a scouting perspective. He is listed at 6’0 165 with good length and plenty of room to grow. Hancock does a great job of staying in phase with receivers and giving himself a chance to make plays. He was physical all night at the point of attack and was a tough matchup, and he did it without drawing penalties. Hancock sealed his fantastic game with a title-sealing INT, where he then slid down and let the offense run out the clock to secure a state championship. He rose to the occasion and made a name for himself as a result of his performance.
Creekside
Shane Kelley
Shane Kelley
Shane Kelley left it all out on the field for Creekside, finishing with a highly productive and impressive game. Kelley is a super speedy and twitchy receiver who can create separation as a route runner and weave around defenders after the catch. He also flashes some soft, late hands. Plucking the ball and quickly tucking it as he gets vertical. He is a good athlete, but his focus was on full display in the state championship. He reeled in some catches in a crowd and also caught a tip drill TD early in the game. Kelley should get a shot at the next level and could end up being a steal.
Zarian Jones
Zarian Jones
Zarian Jones is a chess piece in the Creekside front seven. He can line up attached to the line of scrimmage as an edge rusher and can back off and play as a traditional stand up LB. Either way, he is efficient. He came off the edge early in the game and got himself a sack, showing excellent bend and did a good job of turning up field at the top of his rush. When he has a direct runway to the football, Jones has outstanding closing speed and violently engages on the ball. When he engages blocks, he is just as aggressive and packs enough punch on impact to create penetration. Jones is an elite athlete who should get some D1 looks. His upside as a run and chase defender is high.
4A – Perry vs Stockbridge
Perry
Anderson was a YAC machine in Perry’s win over Stockbridge. He comes in around 5’9 175, but plays much bigger than listed, working for leverage in his route and fighting through tackles after the catch. He is a smooth operator with excellent body control, showcased by battling through tackles and tip toeing the sidelines early in the game for a long TD. Throughout the night, he was targeted often and proved to be a confident, consistent pass catcher who wasn’t phased by the moment.
Trevor Hansen
Trevor Hansen
Hansen is a senior sleeper with good size and played some of his best ball in the state championship game. He isn’t overwhelmingly athletic and explosive, but he simply has a solid grasp for the position and proved it by consistently shedding blocks and getting in on the action in the running game. Even when he wasn’t the one making the tackles, Hansen was able to sit in running lanes and redirect the ball carrier out to his teammates. Hansen might have been the difference maker up front for Perry on the defensive side.
Jukorin Thomas
Jukorin Thomas
Thomas is a good looking OL prospect that drew my eyes plenty. He lined up all over the offensive front, taking reps at both T spots and even sliding inside at times. His work at LT is what caught my attention the most. Stockbridge has a feisty defensive front, but Thomas did a good job of handling rushers with a clean pass set. He has solid length at 6’2, and was patient with his hands as he battled with defenders. With another year of development ahead of him, Thomas is someone to watch going into his senior year.
Stockbridge
Tramell Pree
Tramell Pree
Pree is an athletic OL prospect that played with plenty of energy on seemingly every snap. He comes in at 6’0 270 and makes up for lack of length with his athleticism. He quickly gets out and finds someone to block in the open field. When locked in with blockers, Pree does a good job of constantly refiring and resetting his feet to maintain balance and pad level against defenders. Stockbridge ran behind him several times, and it seemed to pay off a lot.
Cobey Thompkins
Cobey Thompkins
While the end result wasn’t what he wanted, Thompkins finished his decorated HS career on a high note for Stockbridge, getting it done both on the ground and in the air. Thompkins is a good athlete in the open field and can impact defenses with his legs. When the play breaks down, Thompkins plays under control. He also fought through contact as a runner and proved difficult to bring down. As a passer, Thompkins impressed with his compact lefty release. The ball really flew out of his hand and he made plays at several different depths. Toughness, athleticism, and gamesmanship. Thompkins shined.
Malik Caswell
Malik Caswell
This was my first time watching Caswell, a Marshall commit. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. Caswell lined up at safety most of the game, but did slide down to line up in the slot at CB and played in the box. He is a good tackler who can mirror ball carriers with ease. He is a good athlete and possesses the speed to cover plenty of ground. Caswell made several plays on the football all night, coming down with an INT and nearly having two more. He reads the QB at a high level and takes good angles to the catch point. Not many prospects in Georgia play CF the way Caswell does. He is someone who I will have my eye on once he hits the college level.
3A – Cedar Grove vs Savannah Christian
Cedar Grove
Chase Kerns
Chase Kerns
Kerns was an absolute game breaker for Cedar Grove up front, seemingly getting in the backfield on every snap and making plays on the football. Kerns was just simply too much to handle for Savannah Christian blockers. He was explosive off the snap, quickly slipping by or getting up on blockers to set up his block shedding moves. He can steer blockers when he gets his hands on them, toying them around until he is free. HIs closing speed when in pursuit of the football is impressive. He has a disciplined approach of the football, keeping the action in front of him and taking good angles to the ball.
Dmarcus Clements
Dmarcus Clements
Clements made one of the most impressive plays of championship week, rising up with a bigger defender in the endzone and reeling in an impressive INT, ripping the ball from the defender with one hand and tipping it back into his grasp. Clements did a good job of staying in phase with the WR, locating the football, and timing his jump perfectly to play the hands of the WR. Cedar Grove has a history of producing big-time DB prospect, and Clements could enter that category his senior year if he continues to make plays like the one he had in the state championship.
Andrew Leslie
Andrew Leslie
Leslie made several explosive plays, including a long TD in the second quarter to put Cedar Grove ahead. Leslie has good size at 6’1 190. He is long, lanky, has a large catch radius, and has plenty of room to grow. Leslie is a fluid, dynamic route runner who can create separation and build away from defenders. He has natural hands and maintains his stride once he catches the football, which allows him to open up his stride and hit his top speed in a hurry. Leslie is another prospect to track for Cedar Grove as he enters his senior season.
Anthony Booker
Anthony Booker
Everyone knows of Cedar Grove RB Bo Walker Bo Walker 5’9″ | 185 lbs | RB Cedar Grove | 2025 State GA and the talent he is, but Anthony Booker is an impressive RB prospect in his own right. Booker is a different back, coming in as a smaller, scrappier runner. He changes direction nicely and is a super light-footed runner, which allows him to piece his way around would-be tacklers. However, he also runs behind his pads and is capable of working his way through contact to tack on extra yards. Booker is an early breakout candidate for next year.
Savannah Christian
Kenry Wall
Kenry Wall
Kenry Wall was one of several efficient runners for Savannah Christian. Wall was frequently given the ball on sweep plays, where he has more than enough speed and explosiveness to threaten the defense east and west. He broke off several runs and did a good job of planting his foot to get vertical. When faced with contact, he does a good job of lowering his shoulder and picking up extra yards. Wall is a versatile playmaker who holds offers heading into his senior season.
Jaden Miles
Jaden Miles
Miles had himself a productive second half and proved to be another well-rounded RB option for Savannah Christian. Miles is a scrappy runner who runs hard once he opens up his stride. He is dangerous in space and can maintain his stride even when he engages tacklers. He showed the ability to not only run away from defenders, but also absorbed contact well. He has the potential to be an every-down RB option and has ironed out his role in a talented Savannah Christian backfield.
2A – Pierce County vs Rockmart
Pierce County
Wade DiBiase
Wade DiBiase
A physical football game like this requires both active and physical second level defenders, DiBiase is both of those things. He is a good looking prospect, listed at 6’0 185 and is proportionally built. He roamed from sideline to sideline very well, taking excellent angles to the football and flagging down ball carriers from all across the field. When needed, DiBiase put his cleats in the dirt and fired back up the middle, where he held his own against blockers.
What a night for Carson Sloan Carson Sloan 6’2″ | 210 lbs | LB Pierce County | 2024 GA , who got it done on both sides of the ball and was one of the MVPs of the night for Pierce County. Coming in at 6’2 220, Sloan made several impressive plays as a TE, high-pointing the ball for a TD and maintaining his stride as he was hit downfield for huge plays in the passing game. He also put his foot in the ground on direct snaps and powered straight through his blocks for several huge plays, including a 2 OT TD. Not to mention, Sloan got it done on defense, flying all over the field and making tackles everywhere. Sloan could project at TE, LB, or RB. Simply put, he is a physical playmaker who is always around the ball.
Highlights
Caden McGatha
Caden McGatha
Caden McGatha was an absolute bell-cow runner from the QB spot, taking several direct snaps and rushing dozens of times. He ran right into contact at times to lower his shoulder and pick up extra yards. He also flashed really good patience and climbed blocks as he snuck out to the second level. Despite handling a workload, he didn’t appear gassed or in pain late in the game. He is more of a runner, but his work as a passer shouldn’t go unnoticed. He stood tall in the pocket and lofted some good touch balls downfield, giving his receivers a chance to make a play on the ball and keep running. Regardless of if he sticks at QB or not, McGatha should be evaluated for his playmaking ability on offense.
Rockmart
Nahzir Turner
Nahzir Turner
Whenever you have a player’s helmet pop off 5 times a game, he is different when it comes to his pursuit of the football. He played both ways against Pierce County, but it was his defense that caught my attention. He is smaller than your prototype LB, but he still played exceptionally hard and did a good job of firing his feet and working hard to shed off blockers so he could get after the football. Once in the mix, he was a sure tackler who wrestled the ball carrier to the ground easily. Turner is another senior sleeper who capped off an excellent senior season in the state championships.
Tristan Anderson Tristan Anderson 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Rockmart | 2025 State GA
Tristan Anderson Tristan Anderson 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Rockmart | 2025 State GA
Anderson was the most impressive prospect on the field. He is listed at 6’3 180, playing both ways for Rockmart and making an impact all over the field. He was active as a defender, stripping a ball away for a fumble in the second half, but his future and biggest impact is made with the ball in his hand. He returned a punt back for great field position, showing fantastic contact balance and acceleration. He also had a TD grab on a slant, showing the suddenness to break off his route and stay on his path as he reels in the ball through traffic. Anderson holds D1 offers and certainly has more on the way.
1A II – Bowdon vs Manchester
Bowdon
Jordan Beasley
Jordan Beasley
Jordan Beasley is an impressive RB prospect with every down potential. He certainly looks the part, coming in at 6’1 205 with plenty of room to build. Beasley is more of a strider than he is twitchy, but he has good wiggle in running lanes and can generate some momentum with his long strides. Where he really shined for me was in the passing game. He can catch passes out of the backfield and can split out as a WR. He flashes excellent hands and caught balls off his shoelaces and even with one hand. Beasley is headed to MTSU where he could develop into a big-time contributor at the FBS level.
Kyler McGrinn Kyler McGrinn 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Bowdon | 2024 GA
Kyler McGrinn Kyler McGrinn 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Bowdon | 2024 GA
Kyler McGrinn Kyler McGrinn 6’0″ | 200 lbs | QB Bowdon | 2024 GA was a senior sleeper that I had on my radar throughout the year, but he officially won me over with his performance against Manchester. Instantly, McGrinn’s upside as a runner is on full display. He looks and quite frankly plays like an RB, putting his shoulder down at contact and firing his feet to drive the pile. When he slips into open field, he has that extra gear needed to run away. He showed me what I needed to see from him as a passer to get my stamp of approval. He has a short, twitchy release and puts some spin on the ball. On top of all this, he is an experienced runner. Whether he plays QB or not, McGrinn needs some attention for the caliber of athlete he is.
Manchester
Darius Favors
Darius Favors
Darius Favors ran with a mission for Manchester. He is listed at 6’0 195 and showcased the speed to get the edge on the defense, so he is also impressive from a prospect standpoint. Favors is excellent between the tackles, putting his head down and making himself skinny to slip into the next level. From there, he quickly opens up his stride and then drops the shoulder again once he meets contact. He protects the ball and keeps his feet driving to stay upright, two things which helped him find the endzone and keep drives alive for Manchester.
Jayden Terry
Jayden Terry
Jayden Terry finished the night with 2 receiving TDs and jumped a route for an INT, making it a productive night for the sophomore. Terry is listed at 6’2 190 and is noticeably lanky with room to grow. He is a subtle route runner who is crisp at the top of his routes, quickly changing direction to create separation and using his long strides to do the rest. He showed good ball tracking skills and hands, reeling in the ball without breaking stride into the endzone. The state championship game put him on the map and he could weep the rewards on the recruiting trail as a result.
1A I – Prince Avenue Christian vs Swainsboro
Prince Avenue Christian
Connor Causby
Connor Causby
PACS likes to throw the ball around, but Connor Causby got things done on the ground and helped open up a lot more action in the passing game as a result. Causby doesn’t jump off the page when it comes to measurables, but he is a fundamentally sound runner who has a good grasp of the position and his role. He runs with his shoulders squared and stays attached to his blocks as long as possible, which allows him to quickly break off into another running lane if needed. He also showed clean, quick footwork which let him create his own yards. Simply put, Causby got the yards he needed and was a pivotal part in setting up favorable situations in the passing game. He is also a legit baseball prospect.
Jake Atha
Jake Atha
The PACS OL across the board were difference makers, but Jake Atha really intrigued me upon watching. He has good size at 6’3 265 and is nowhere near his physical peak. Still, he played with good balance when anchoring down against the run and was able to stay on his feet for most of the game. He lined up on defense as well and helped make a play in the backfield for a loss, but his steadiness and physical upside on the line of scrimmage is something to watch.
Remember the name. CJ Dockery CJ Dockery 6’1″ | 185 lbs | WR Prince Avenue Christian | 2026 GA was one of, if not my favorite eval from championship week. For starters, he looks the part at 6’2 190 with his long arms and proportional frame. He has good speed and wiggle in space, proving capable of shaking defenders and loosely running in the open field if needed. However, the way he operates at the WR spot was impressive. He ran his routes with good pace and remained calm and collected throughout his route and when the ball was in the air. He flashed very impressive ball skills and body control throughout the game, getting his toes down in the endzone for a TD and making an acrobatic grab over a defender late in the game for another. Good athleticism, great ball skills, and outstanding composure throughout each route. That’s what Dockery brings to the table.
Highlights
Swainsboro
Mello Jones, a UGA commit, was nothing short of extraordinary during his final HS game. He was the major source of offense for Swainsboro all night, showcasing excellent elusiveness and burst as a runner in the open field. He also made some plays on defense, jumping a route and hitting an extra gear to bring in a pick six. Mello Jones could wind up playing any sort of positions, but regardless, he is always around the ball and is an elite athlete with NFL upside when it is all said and done.
When you turn on the tape, Jerrod Steward Jerrod Steward 6’1″ | 220 lbs | LB Swainsboro | 2024 State GA really turns heads as a big bodied LB, coming in at 6’1 235. However, it was his work on the offensive side of the ball that really impressed me against Prince Avenue. Swainsboro ran a lot of downhill, direct snap run plays with Mello Jones. In some of those formations, Steward lined up as an HB/TE, and just bouldered into people as a blocker. He is big, athletic, and powerful, so he just cleared out running lanes for the ball carrier. As you could expect, they ran behind him a lot.
Ja’Bios Smith
Ja’Bios Smith
What an impressive freshman Ja’Bios Smith is. He comes in at around 6’3 200 and looks the part of a prospect who could quickly rise onto the P5 recruiting scene. He is how an EDGE prospect is supposed to look. He checks the length boxes, but he is also super athletic and bendy around the edge. He understands how to work against blockers and keep hands off of him, something that will help him against higher level OL competition. I would keep tabs on Smith, as this is certainly not the last time you’ll hear about him.